SC appoints retired Kerala HC judge for making inventory of ornaments at Sabarimala temple

Supreme Court Friday appointed retired Kerala High Court judge C N Ramachandaran Nair to prepare an inventory and valuation report of ornaments of Lord Ayyappa of Sabarimala temple that are claimed by different sects of Pandalam Royal family. top court said he can take assistance of a jeweller for valuation of sacred ornaments and should file its report in sealed cover.

A bench of Justices N V Ramana, Ajay Rastogi and V Ramasubramanian said, "We are only worried about safety and security of sacred ornaments".

top court also requested Attorney General K K Venugopal, appearing for Kerala government, to use his "good office" in finding an amicable resolution to ongoing dispute between warring faction of royal family.

It also asked Venugopal to make submission on next date of hearing of matter about safety and security of ornaments. It granted four more weeks to state government to prepare a draft legislation regarding administration of historic Sabarimala temple.

At outset, Venugopal said that similar issue arose in Padmanabhaswamy Temple, where apex court had constituted a committee to assess jewellery after an inventory was prepared.

" government first needs to have list of ornaments of Lord Ayyappa, which are kept in custody of Pandalam Raja. At present list we have is very general in nature, which does t say how much carat gold is re or diamond is of how much carat. We also need to have a jeweller to do inventory with each and every specification," Venugopal said.

bench said problem is parties do t agree that ornaments belong to Lord Ayyappa and y claim that y belongs to royal family.

Attorney General responded, "This is what precisely happened in Padmanabhaswamy Temple case as re was dispute over ownership of jewellery. individual can claim that jewellery is t of deity". Venugopal submitted to court a list of ornaments that was available with government.

bench after perusing list expressed surprise and said, "Are re only 16 ornaments with lord Ayyappa, as per list. re is so much donation given at Sabarimala temple and re are only 16 ornaments with Lord Ayyappa".

Venugopal urged court to direct royal family to submit full list of inventory and allow a jeweller to assess ornaments for its valuation.

READ | t Hearing Pleas To Review Sabarimala Verdict Allowing Entry To Women: SC

Senior advocate K Radhakrishnan, appearing for royal family, objected to submission of Venugopal and said that "this is an attempt by state government to take indirect control of jewellery". bench told Radhakrishnan that it was fighting between parties which brought situation to this level.

Radhakrishnan replied that re is a dispute between family and it can be sorted out but state cant be allowed to take control of jewellery which property of royal family.

Venugopal said that re can be a trust which can keep custody of ornaments and wondered as to why was royal family resisting valuation of ornaments and preparation of inventory.

bench said, "Why are you resisting preparation of inventory. A valuer would go re and make a inventory without taking out jewellery from Pandalam palace. This jewellery cant be used for any or purpose except for adorning of Lord Ayyappa".

Advocate Sai Deepak, appearing for senior most member of royal family said that this jewellery does t belong to any trust, board or anybody else but to royal family.

bench n said that it is appointing a retired High Court judge of Kerala High Court, who would look into preparation of inventory and valuation and submit its sealed cover report.

On February 5, top court had taken serious te of internal bickering and prolonged litigations in Pandalam Royal family, which is custodian of sacred ornaments of Sabaraimala temple and asked Kerala government to suggest measures to safeguard jewellery.

Raja Raja Varma, a member of Pandalam Royal family, has moved an application for impleadment in pending matter and sought direction for handing over of keys of strong room, where jewels are kept in custody of secretary of association 'Pandalam Kottara Nirvahaka Sangham', to senior members of family.

Varma has claimed that he has apprehension that President, treasurer and secretary of association may do something wrong or misappropriate sacred jewels.

According to legend, Pandalam place is where Lord Ayyappa, presiding deity of Sabarimala, had his human sojourn as son of Raja of Pandalam. 

READ | Sabarimala Case: SC To Frame Questions Relating To Discrimination Against Women In Religions

READ | Sabarimala Temple Case: Nine-judge Bench Of SC To Hear Scope Of Judicial Review On Feb 3